Space antenna having extendible hoop and interconnected cords defining polygons and related methods

Abstract

A space antenna may include an extendible boom movable between stored and deployed positions. An extendible hoop may surround the extendible boom and is movable between the stored and deployed positions. A front cord arrangement may be coupled to the extendible hoop and defines a curved shape in the deployed position, and a reflective layer may be carried thereby. A rear cord arrangement may be behind the front cord arrangement and coupled between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom. The rear cord arrangement may include a rear plurality of interconnected cords defining rear polygons. Tie cords may extend between the front cord arrangement and the rear cord arrangement. A top cord arrangement may be above the reflective layer and coupled between the hoop and the extendible boom.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A space antenna comprising:
 an extendible boom movable between stored and deployed positions; 
 an extendible hoop surrounding the extendible boom and movable between the stored and deployed positions; 
 a front cord arrangement coupled to the extendible hoop and defining a curved shape in the deployed position; 
 a reflective layer carried by the front cord arrangement; 
 a rear cord arrangement behind the front cord arrangement and coupled between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom, the rear cord arrangement comprising a rear plurality of interconnected cords defining a plurality of rear polygons; 
 a plurality of tie cords extending between the front cord arrangement and the rear cord arrangement; and 
 a top cord arrangement above the reflective layer and coupled between the hoop and the extendible boom. 
 
     
     
       2. The space antenna of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of rear polygons comprises a plurality of rear triangles. 
     
     
       3. The space antenna of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of rear polygons define a plurality of rear non-radial paths between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom. 
     
     
       4. The space antenna of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of rear polygons define a plurality of spaced apart rear rings concentric with the extendible boom. 
     
     
       5. The space antenna of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of tie cords are parallel to the extendible boom. 
     
     
       6. The space antenna of  claim 1  wherein the front cord arrangement comprises a front plurality of interconnected cords defining a plurality of front polygons. 
     
     
       7. The space antenna of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of front polygons comprises a plurality of front triangles. 
     
     
       8. The space antenna of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of front polygons define a plurality of front non-radial paths between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom. 
     
     
       9. The space antenna of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of front polygons define a plurality of spaced apart front rings concentric with the extendible boom. 
     
     
       10. The space antenna of  claim 1  wherein the top cord arrangement comprises a top plurality of interconnected cords defining a plurality of top polygons. 
     
     
       11. The space antenna of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of top polygons comprises a plurality of top triangles. 
     
     
       12. The space antenna of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of top polygons define a plurality of top non-radial paths between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom. 
     
     
       13. The space antenna of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of top polygons define a plurality of spaced apart top rings concentric with the extendible boom. 
     
     
       14. The space antenna of  claim 1  comprising an antenna feed carried by the extendible boom. 
     
     
       15. A space antenna comprising:
 an extendible boom movable between stored and deployed positions; 
 an extendible hoop surrounding the extendible boom and movable between the stored and deployed positions; 
 a front cord arrangement coupled to the extendible hoop and defining a curved shape in the deployed position; 
 a reflective layer carried by the front cord arrangement; 
 a rear cord arrangement behind the front cord arrangement and coupled between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom, the rear cord arrangement comprising a rear plurality of interconnected cords defining a plurality of rear triangles; 
 a plurality of tie cords extending between the front cord arrangement and the rear cord arrangement, the plurality of tie cords being parallel to the extendible boom; and 
 a top cord arrangement above the reflective layer and coupled between the hoop and the extendible boom. 
 
     
     
       16. The space antenna of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of rear triangles define a plurality of rear non-radial paths between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom. 
     
     
       17. The space antenna of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of rear triangles define a plurality of spaced apart rear rings concentric with the extendible boom. 
     
     
       18. The space antenna of  claim 15  wherein the front cord arrangement comprises a front plurality of interconnected cords defining a plurality of front triangles. 
     
     
       19. The space antenna of  claim 18  wherein the plurality of front triangles define a plurality of front non-radial paths between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom. 
     
     
       20. The space antenna of  claim 18  wherein the plurality of front triangles define a plurality of spaced apart front rings concentric with the extendible boom. 
     
     
       21. The space antenna of  claim 18  wherein the top cord arrangement comprises a top plurality of interconnected cords defining a plurality of top triangles. 
     
     
       22. The space antenna of  claim 21  wherein the plurality of top triangles define a plurality of top non-radial paths between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom. 
     
     
       23. The space antenna of  claim 21  wherein the plurality of top triangles define a plurality of spaced apart top rings concentric with the extendible boom. 
     
     
       24. The space antenna of  claim 15  comprising an antenna feed carried by the extendible boom. 
     
     
       25. A method of making a space antenna comprising:
 coupling a front cord arrangement to an extendible hoop to define a curved shape in a deployed position; 
 coupling a reflective layer to the front cord arrangement; 
 coupling a rear cord arrangement behind the front cord arrangement and between the extendible hoop and an extendible boom within the extendible hoop, the rear cord arrangement comprising a rear plurality of interconnected cords defining a plurality of rear polygons; 
 coupling a plurality of tie cords between the front cord arrangement and the rear cord arrangement; and 
 coupling a top cord arrangement above the reflective layer and between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom. 
 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25  wherein the plurality of rear polygons comprises a plurality of rear triangles. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 25  wherein the plurality of rear polygons define a plurality of rear non-radial paths between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 25  wherein the plurality of rear polygons define a plurality of spaced apart rear rings concentric with the extendible boom. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 25  wherein the plurality of tie cords are parallel to the extendible boom. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 25  wherein the front cord arrangement comprises a front plurality of interconnected cords defining a plurality of front polygons. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 25  wherein the top cord arrangement comprises a top plurality of interconnected cords defining a plurality of top polygons.